Yesterday afternoon we met at a BP Gas station in DeKalb Illinois to participate in MoveOn.org's
Oil Free Congress event.
I spoke with automobile drivers, bikers, motorcycle riders and pedestrians about the high price of gasoline.
I even spoke to a resale shop employee who told me that people are pawning household goods to buy gasoline and help make ends meet.
Read the diary and listen to our podcast.
I would like to thank Laura Cooper and Jim Luebke for hosting the MoveOn.org event for the
Oil Free Congress.
The event was covered by the DeKalb Daily Chronicle and made the front page.
With gasoline priced at $2.99/gallon for Regular we were very well received by voters in DeKalb, IL.
We didn't wish to impinge on Bockman's BP family owned business and besides, we didn't have permission to be on their property. We met voters at their cars.
It was difficult to hear over traffic and trains to what the people in their cars were saying and conversations were quick as I moved from car-to-car before the light turned green.
One guy on a motorcycle told me that he was using his motorcycle all summer long because he could not afford gas for his car.
There was a resale shop across the street and I spoke with Heather (Podcast) who told of people pawning household goods to buy gasoline and help make ends meet.
Here is a transcript of the conversation:
John: We're asking voter's if high gas prices are going to be an issue in the 2006 election?
Heather: I wouldn't see why they wouldn't be.
John: I notice you guys sell bicycles. Have more people been buying bicycles (She replies Yea) since the price of gas has gone up?
Heather: Uhmmm, no, not since the price of gas has gone up. We buy stuff. So we've had more people come in selling us stuff for gas money since the price has gone up.
John: OK
Heather: The bikes just because its gotten nice, that's why.
John: So people are coming in to pawn their goods so they can afford to get to and from work?
Heather: yes, yes.
John: Oh Wow. Any good stories? What's the best story?
Heather: Of why they needed money?
John: Sure.
Heather: I don't know they, you know what I mean? I don't really..after a while I just stopped listening to what they say, you know..baby needs diapers..oh I need gas money to get to Chicago.
Here are links to the front and back of the flyers that we handed out. We made our own instead of using the MoveOn flyer to better illustrate how much $$$ Big Oil and Gas drops in Washington.
Again, my special thanks to Laura Cooper for setting this event up - you are an American Patriot!
Oh yeah... let me ask everyone a question about strategy. What do you think... keep the conversation on gas prices or shift to Hastert's agenda (abortion, flag burning, prayer in school...)?
Are there any other stories out there about the MoveOn.org gas station event?
Respectfully,
John Laesch
www.john06.com